Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-23
FRIDAY. DECEMBER %, 1887.
Republican Clubs.

upon it, TO use the words of one of them,
Gas a good thing" We have read not a
protest against il, ond there has not been
even hint given that one of the results
of that convention might be the revolu-
tionizing of the organization of the Re
publican party. And yet it is certainly
not impossible that this may prove 20 be
the case.
What was the object of the conven-
ton We have before us a statement
rs to what MIR. HALsTEAD thinks was its
object He says
1.-THE Republican Club Convention in
New York will stimulate the organiza-
ton of clubs throughout the country.
That, as We understand il, was the OBJ
jeet of the meeting. 1t is most desira-
bic that the work of organization so well
begun should 60 on. The Republicans
have much to contend against.
The Democratic party has the solid
South and the army Of ofice-holderS,
and they viii use every advantage within
their grasp without a scruple. The Re-
pubiicans have great battle TO fight,
and 1t is essential that they shall organ
lie. The Club Convention was good
thing. There was an exchange Of views
and Of information that was useful. The
high spirit of the Republican party was
handsomely displayed and good under
standings reached.
Was that the real object of the con-
vention ? If so, what Will follow?
Certainly this organization of clubs,
which is to extend all over the United
States, and which will endeavor no
doubt to control the Republican party,
must be recognized as ga wheel within
a wheel" 1t will prove to be rival Of
the Grand Army of the Republic. If
the Republicans elect the President next
year 1t will demand the Government of
fees for its members, aud il ii shall turn
out to be the organization that 1t now
promises to be it will be able to boss the
regular Republican organization and
make itself felt even in the halls of Con-
gress, as the organization of the Grand
army OF the Republic has made itself
felt there.
Have not the clubs already rendered
il certain that Mr.. BLAINE is the favorte
of large majority OF the Republicans
of the land? Has it not been demon
strated that there is really but one promi-
nent aspirant to the presidency in the
whole Republican party =? How many
friends had SHERMAN in the Convention
Of Clubs? He showed no strength there
worth speaking of, and, if. that body
were to reassemble next week or next
month he would manifest still less.
The Convention of Clubs was in a word
what is sometimes called can informal
ballot" An informal ballot is method
of ascertaining how the vriOus candi-
dates stand in a body about to elect
person to fill an Office or place of some
sort. Although on an informal ballot
the leading candidate may receive
votes enough to elect him, formal
ballot must be had before he can
be declared elected. Thus the friends
of the weak candidates are made nc
quainted with their weakness, and are
also afforded an opportunity to desert to
the strongest man. This, it strikes Ms,
Is lust what the Convention of Clubs
did in New York last week. There was
no formal ballot. There was not even
what is called an informal ballot !;
but there were outgivings and demon
STATIONS that told plainly who was to be
the next nominee OF the Republican
party for President. BLAINE, of Maine,
was, we repeat, pointed out as the lucky
or unlucky man. The Chicago Conven-
ton will only have to ratify the action Of
the National Convention of Clubs, and,
as We have said, the clubs will claim the
Offices at the disposal of the President.
A conflict between the Grand Army OF
the Republic and the organization OF
clubs may then be expected.
But what if the Democrats next year
elect their candidate for President ?
Well, the Republican clubs will be ready
TO preach the funeral Of the Republican
party, and to originate if not IA new
party at least new name for an old
party. The dissolution of the Union,
or rather the war Of secession, was
owing in large measure to the nu-
merous clubs Which the Republican
party organized in 1860. They dominated
the regular Republican organization
in Congress aud out Of il, and intimi-
dated the Republican leaders, who would
otherwise have made such terms with the
southern States as would have prevented
the war. Hundreds Of thousands of
lives may be charged to those LINCOLN
clubs. This new organization OF clubs
exists as well in the South as in the
North. and will not, it is to be hoped, be
hostile as body to the South but
all the same, it will either rule
or ruin the Republican party. 1t viii
occupy relatively to the regular Re-
publican organization a position some.
what similar TO that which the Mozart
Hall organization OF Readjuster Demo-
Gratis occupied relatively to the regular
Democratic organization. The Mozart
Hall faction defeated the regular Demo-
cratic party in 1879, and soon afterwards
took possession Of the Republican party
In Virginia
Again We warn the Republican party
TO beware Of the clubs that held con-
yention in New York last week.
- 49,